Flight Socks and Stockings

What are Flight Socks and Flight Stockings?

Flight socks are a type of compression sock specifically designed for use during flights. These socks provide graduated compression, meaning that the pressure on the feet is greatest at the ankle and gradually decreases up the leg. The increased pressure helps to reduce swelling, fatigue, discomfort and side effects associated with prolonged or frequent flights.

Flight socks also help improve circulation throughout the legs and feet by pushing fluids back up toward the heart, which helps prevent blood clots and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Some flight socks even contain specially designed padding in areas where leg muscles often become sore during long flights, providing additional comfort.

Flight socks come in various styles - some are calf-length, while others go all the way up to just below the knee, although these are more commonly referred to as compression stockings. They usually feature adjustable straps or closures, which allow for a more customised fit and can be worn on both legs or just one, depending on an individual's needs.

Are Compression Socks and Flight Socks the Same?

There is a common misconception that compression stockings and flight socks are the same; however, although they are closely related, they do have different purposes.

Compression stockings are designed to improve circulation by providing gradual compression to the leg, with more compression being provided to the ankle and less as they move up the leg.

What do flight socks do, we hear you saying? Flight socks are marketed for long-haul travel, with their primary purpose being to reduce swelling and minimise the risk of DVT.

What is Deep Vein Thrombosis?

Deep veins can’t be seen on the surface of your skin – they’re not the same as varicose veins. Instead, deep veins in your legs pass through the muscles of your calf and thigh. They carry blood back to your heart. Because the pressure in these veins is low, they can be easily squashed – this can stop blood from flowing freely. Additionally, using your legs causes the muscles to contract, which helps blood flow back toward your heart.

Following major leg surgery, in particular, many people are immobile and put pressure on their deep veins by sitting still. This can cause the blood to stagnate, leading to a clot. This clot can break off and travel to the lungs, where it becomes lodged. The result is a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolus (clot on the lung).

If you’re on a long-haul flight in particular, sitting still for long periods can also increase the risk of a DVT. DVTs don’t always cause symptoms and often disappear without you knowing you’ve got one. However, it’s worth knowing when you need to take steps to reduce your risk.

Am I at Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Should I Wear Flight Socks?

You may be at higher risk of DVT if you:

• Have had surgery (particularly on your legs or pelvis) in the last couple of months.
• Have recently had a severe illness, such as heart failure or a heart attack.
• Have a long-term medical condition that limits your mobility.
• Have been confined to bed or a wheelchair for any length of time in the weeks before you fly.
• Are pregnant.
• Are taking the combined oral contraceptive pill or tablet forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
• Have cancer.
• Are overweight or living with obesity.
• Have a leg in plaster because of a broken bone.
• Have had a DVT or pulmonary embolus in the past.
• Have a close relative who has had a DVT or pulmonary embolus.
• Are over 60, especially if you’re not very mobile.
• Become dehydrated.
• Commonly have circulatory problems.
• Have a blood-clotting disorder that makes you more prone to blood clots.
• Are over 190cm or under 160cm tall.

If you fall into any of the categories above, then it is probably wise to be wearing flight socks when you’re travelling. Even if you don’t suffer from any health conditions that could mean you’re at risk of DVT, wearing flight socks or compression stockings can still be a good idea to reduce discomfort and swelling when sitting for extended periods of time.

Do You Need Flight Socks?

The risk of DVT on even a long-haul flight is much smaller than some other risk factors, such as those who have had major surgery or cancer. However, the combination of long-haul flights and these other risk factors can make you especially prone to DVT.

If you don’t have any risk factors for DVT, the risk for flights under 4 hours is tiny. That means you’re likely to get little or no benefit from wearing flight socks or anti-embolism stockings, especially for short-haul flights.

If you have any of the risk factors above, you may want to consider flight socks for flights over 6 hours in particular. Some studies suggest that they may reduce your risk of having a DVT during travel by over one-third to more than half.

How do I avoid a DVT when travelling?

Doctors recommend that everyone take sensible precautions to keep their blood flowing during flights, especially on long-haul flights.

Do consider the following:

• Keep moving. It’s particularly important to move your calves, as your calf muscles keep blood flowing through your veins when they contract. Most airlines have examples of exercises you can do regularly in your seat to keep blood flowing – you can usually find these in the in-seat magazine. Examples of exercises you can do at least every half hour include:
  • Ankle circles: Lift your feet and twirl your foot, as if you’re drawing circles in the air. Do this in both directions for 15-30 seconds with each foot.
  • Knee lifts: Lift your knee towards your chest with your knee bent. Repeat 20-30 times with each leg.
  • Foot pumps: with your heel on the floor, bend your foot to bring your toes as far as possible towards you. After holding for a couple of seconds, push the ball of your foot down hard to the floor and raise your heel as far as you can, keeping the ball of your foot on the floor. Repeat for a minute, alternating feet.
• Keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration makes your blood thicker and more prone to clotting. Take regular non-alcoholic drinks – your urine should be pale straw-coloured when you go to the toilet.
• Consider an aisle seat. This makes it easier for you to get up regularly and walk up and down the aisle.

And some sensible suggestions to avoid:

• Don’t take sleeping tablets. When you sleep under the influence of sleeping tablets, you tend to be more immobile and you put more pressure on your veins.
• Avoid alcohol. Any amount of alcohol acts as a diuretic, making you pass more water. This makes you more prone to blood clots, as well as feeling groggy and irritable.
• Use the overhead compartment. Avoid putting large luggage under the seat in front of you, as it prevents you from moving your feet.

In the past, doctors have suggested taking a single aspirin tablet before flying. Aspirin works to make your platelets (which help your blood to clot) less sticky, so the theory was that this might reduce the risk of DVT. In fact, studies have shown that aspirin doesn’t reduce your risk of DVT during travel.

If you’ve recently had a DVT or have had a pulmonary embolus or multiple DVTs in the past, your medical team may suggest that you take a blood-thinning injection called heparin to reduce the risk of DVT during a long-haul flight. It is always wise to follow medical advice and consider wearing compression stockings when you're on a long-haul flight; it may save you pain and discomfort down the line.

READ MORE: Travelling after Deep Vein Thrombosis

The thought of DVT or complications when flying can be daunting, but with simple precautions like wearing compression stockings or socks, you can remove some of the concern and sit back and enjoy your holiday as you should.

Don’t forget to do a travel insurance comparison to ensure you are covered for every eventuality whilst you’re away. You can find more useful articles and guides like this on our blog.